INDIAN TRIBAL CULTURE - Religion


INDIAN TRIBAL CULTURE - Religion
India is known to be a secular country, owing to the number of religions that are recognised and followed here. This is true even for the various tribal populations present in the country. Many Indians belonging to these populations adhere to traditional Indian tribal religions, often syncretised with one or more of the major religious traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam or Christianity. In keeping with the general nature of Indian religion, these particular religions often involve traditions of ancestor worship or worship of spirits of natural features. Tribal beliefs persist as folk religion even among those converted to a major religion.





Opposed to the case of most Indians, most tribal people are not Hindus or Muslims. Many are animists and some are Christians. One of the most studied religions of the tribes is that of the Santals of Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal. Those who practice the Santal religion believe in the ‘Thakurji’, the supreme deity who ultimately controls the entire universe. Different aspects of the world are believed to be handled by a court of spirits called Bonga, who are placated with offerings and prayers in order to ward off evil spirits. It is believed that evil spirits are responsible for the spread of diseases and these spirits, along with the ‘Bonga’ are thought to inhabit village boundaries, mountains, water, tigers and the forest. Similar beliefs are common among other tribes of northeast and central India such as the Kharia, Munda, and Oraon.



Apart from this there are a variety of other tribal religious beliefs. The Gonds worship clan Gods, mother earth, village deities, mountain Gods, ancestor spirits and spirits associated with nature. The Bhils merge animism with Hinduism. The Toda and Abor tribes believe in a pantheon of deities. There are several other cults and minority folk beliefs along that vary across the different tribes.


The process of integration within a national, political and economic system is causing great pressure of cultural assimilation for these tribal religions which are now slowly vanishing.

BY: Faaiqa Aisha
1st BSc. Psychology

Comments

  1. BlogFebruary 11, 2019 at 8:13 PM

    This blog is so informative. This gives the various religious beliefs and the religion followed by the various tribes of India.
    Varshaa.R

    ReplyDelete
  2. imaginatively creativeFebruary 11, 2019 at 9:32 PM

    The blog clearly explains the different religions that prevail across the indian tribes.This proves india as a secular country only.
    G.Abirami

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownFebruary 12, 2019 at 5:40 AM

    Hamsika
    amazing! I didnt know that the concept of religion exists among the tribals. I was eager and curious while reading through the texts to know more about them.

    ReplyDelete
  4. imaginatively creativeFebruary 12, 2019 at 6:47 AM

    A very informative blog. -Archita. T. Menon

    ReplyDelete
  5. imaginatively creativeFebruary 12, 2019 at 7:30 AM

    The content is very intriguing and fascinating to read.
    Faadila Aisha

    ReplyDelete

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